THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234 Office of College and University Evaluation Tel. (518) 474-1551
5 N Mezzanine, Education Building Fax (518) 486-2779
89 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12234
Updated Feb013
STEPS IN THE REVIEW OF DOCTORAL PROGRAM PROPOSALS* 1. Development of Proposal
(a)
Guidelines for the development of doctoral program proposals begin on page 3. Early in the proposal development process, institutions should contact the Office of College and University Evaluation (“OCUE”—518474-1551). It is important that proposals be complete and provide all requested information, including the following elements:
a one-page abstract
proposal narrative and supporting materials
graduate school catalog
a site visit report prepared by at least two nationally recognized field experts, typically from outside New York State, selected by the institution in consultation with OCUE
institution’s response to the site visit report, including how it addressed the site visitors’ concerns (suggestion: the institution may wish to return to the site visitors to solicit their comments on the adequacy of any revised program elements)(b)
If the institution is proposing its first doctoral program or entering a new major-mission category, suggest the names of 10 out-of-state field experts (other than those who served as site visitors) for consideration as potential evaluators of the proposed program for the State Education Department. OCUE will typically require a readiness review following its assessment of the institution’s proposal, as described in part (a) above. If an institution is proposing its first doctoral program, the site visit team will need to be expanded to include peer reviewers who can address issues of general institutional readiness to move to the new degree level.2. Site Visit
To ensure that the site visit report provides sufficiently detailed and objective information for the Department to make an informed decision about program registration, the site visitors should be directed to use the Instructions and
Report Form for Evaluation of Doctoral Program Proposals (included in this document) to evaluate the quality and
viability of the proposed program in terms of governance, curriculum, faculty, students, facilities, and other resources.
Additional questions are included for first doctoral program proposals. Institutions may supplement the Report Form
with their own additional questions. A single team report is preferred. The report should include the name, title, institutional affiliation, address, and telephone number for each team member. Reviewers should sign the “Conflict of Interest Guidelines” included in the “Instructions” document. A signed copy of this form should be retained by the institution.
3. The institution's Chief Executive Officer or a designated official should submit two copies of the proposal to the Deputy Commissioner for the Office Higher Education with a cover letter and Doctoral Proposal Cover Page.
*
4. Preliminary Review by the Department
When the proposal is submitted, it is reviewed by OCUE to determine the need for any additional information or further evaluation by outside reviewers. For institutions proposing first doctoral programs, an overall assessment will be made of the institution's master plan, the status of its existing undergraduate and graduate programs, and general financial health and availability of support resources and facilities. In this case, the Department typically requires a readiness review (as described in item 1).
Should additional information be needed, OCUE will contact either the institution or, with the institution's approval, the site visitors. If the completed materials provide sufficient evidence that the proposed program has the potential for meeting requirements of high quality and need, and if master plan amendment is required, the Office will begin a Statewide planning review. If master plan amendment is not required, the Office will register the program and notify the institution accordingly.
5. Peer Review and Site Visit
In certain circumstances the Office will call for another independent review of the proposal by eminent peers in the field. This may be a paper review or, in some cases, another visit could be required (e.g., if the site visit report submitted with the proposal does not appear to provide a full and impartial evaluation, or if the proposal raises concerns about the institution's academic or financial health). When another review is necessary, the institution will participate in the selection of reviewers and have an opportunity to review peer reviewer reports and respond factually and substantively as part of the review process.
6. Statewide Planning Review
A planning review is necessary for proposed programs requiring master plan amendment. The proposal and related materials are considered in terms of implications for Statewide planning. This involves an assessment of 1) the need for the program, 2) its potential effect on the institution, and 3) its potential effect on other institutions. The Office will conduct a canvass of all doctoral degree-granting institutions in the State and colleges and universities in the institution’s Regents Region. The one-page abstract will be used for this purpose. Also, Section 137 of Chapter 82 of the Laws of 1995 requires the Regents to hold a public hearing in the region where the proposed program would be offered, if such a request is made by an affected institution. If the Office's academic and planning reviews support a favorable recommendation, a petition for master plan amendment approval is prepared for consideration by the Commissioner and action by the Board of Regents.
In addition to obtaining Regents approval, master plan amendments for CUNY and SUNY must be approved by the Governor. When the petition for master plan amendment has been approved, registration of the program is authorized and the institution is notified accordingly.
GUIDELINES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DOCTORAL PROGRAM PROPOSALS A. ACADEMIC REVIEW
1. Program Data
State the title of the proposed doctoral program and the degree to be awarded. Suggest a HEGIS minor-mission (4-digit) code number for the program. List other programs currently offered in the same HEGIS category, if any.
2. Purpose, Goals, and Objectives
Describe the purpose, goals, and objectives of the proposed program, highlighting important or unique aspects. Indicate how the program relates to the institution's mission and its existing programs. If the proposed program will be supported substantially by existing resources, explain how its implementation will not strain institutional resources, either financial or academic.
3. Academic Governance
Indicate the systems established for governance and oversight of the proposed program, including administrative mechanisms and criteria for selection; workload which accommodate increased faculty time and support for research and development, dissertation guidance activities; promotion; and tenure of faculty who will be responsible for the proposed program.
4. Financial Resources
Provide evidence that the institution has sufficient fiscal, physical and human resources to support the changes proposed and to do so without diminishing the quality of existing programs. If there are to be changes made to existing programs to support the proposed program, describe them and provide the rationale and plan. Using Tables 6 and 7, prepare a five-year estimate of expenditures, including costs for items such as faculty salaries, financial support for students, administrative staff, support staff, facilities, equipment, library, supplies, and any other expenditures connected with the program. Specify a budgetary commitment that ensures that students will have the opportunity to complete the program. Coordinate information supplied in these tables with data provided in Tables 3 (staffing) and 5 (enrollments).
Using Table 8, prepare a five-year estimate of revenues to support the proposed program including tuition income, governmental appropriations (Federal, State, and local), foundation support, and any other sources of income. If the proposed program will be wholly or partially funded by outside sources, explain how the costs of the program will be covered if such funds cease to be available. If the proposed program is to be offered jointly with another institution, provide the financial agreements between the institutions.
5. Facilities, Equipment, and Library
List the computer facilities, classrooms, research equipment and laboratories currently available which will be used to support the program and the facilities and equipment which will have to be acquired each year for the next five years. Note any use of leased facilities and equipment and the provisions of any lease agreements.
expansion of the collection in support of the proposed program. Indicate the annual financial allocations for additions to the collection which will be used specifically to support the proposed program for a five-year period. If the proposed program will rely on external library resources, specify how such resources will be used and explain the nature of any agreements between the proposing institution and external libraries.
6. Faculty
Specify staffing for the proposed program on the attached Tables 1-3, including administrative and support staff in Table 3. Submit current curricula vitae for all faculty, indicating highest degrees, area of specialization, educational experience, previous experience in doctoral education, research, publication, research grant support, and special recognition or awards. The faculty who will provide leadership and direction for the proposed program must be active and recognized in their fields (as evidenced by scholarly publication, research, etc.) and be in place before a program is submitted for approval. These faculty should also demonstrate experience with directing doctoral dissertations. Discuss future plans and commitments for faculty to support program development and growth.
7. Curriculum
Describe the essential elements of the curriculum, including modes of graduate instruction, including any online instruction, and research training appropriate for doctoral study, e.g., seminars, diverse and sophisticated research methodologies. Demonstrate the degree of emphasis on research independent study, experimentation, and demonstration of professional performance, in existing graduate programs and/or the proposed doctoral program.
Include the total number of required credits; the number of required and elective courses; the distribution of courses by academic year; thesis/dissertation requirements; field/internship requirements; the utilization of existing courses; the addition of new courses, indicating which faculty are likely to teach each course; and syllabi for any new courses. Describe provisions for a full-time residency experience for students or an equivalent concentrated period of study or research. Provide sample student programs of study.
8. Students
Describe the student body to be served and complete Table 4. Discuss differentiation of standards and requirements for program admission, selection procedures; plans for the recruitment, retention, and graduation of students including students from historically underrepresented groups; and provisions for students' academic supervision and counseling during their affiliation with the institution.
Project full- and part-time enrollment for the first five years of the program in Table 5 and discuss the assumptions upon which the enrollment projection is based. Indicate the ultimate enrollment goal for the proposed program. Assess the effect of the proposed program on the institution's total enrollment and on faculty load. Compare the projected enrollment with enrollments in other programs at the institution and enrollments in similar programs at
including evidence of student achievement, accomplishments of graduates, faculty performance, etc.
B. STATEWIDE PLANNING REVIEW - Complete this Section only if master plan amendment is required. Refer to item 6,
page 2.
1. Need for the Proposed Program
What evidence is there that the proposed program is needed? Establish the need for it as completely as possible, using measurable data, on one or more of the following four grounds:
Demand by potential students for the opportunity to study the proposed program at this institution. How many potential students (e.g., students currently enrolled at this institution, students currently enrolled at other institutions, alumni) have requested the proposed program? Describe and document how such persons were identified (e.g., surveys). How long has the above demand existed and what evidence is there that it will continue? Have enrollments in similar programs been growing locally, regionally, on a statewide basis, on a nationwide basis? Explain why the demand to study this program cannot be accommodated by other doctoral institutions in the State.
Demand by employers (or other groups, such as clients or patients) for persons with this education. For what occupation(s) does this program prepare its graduates? What is the extent of occupational demand for such persons? Explain how that demand was measured. Why aren't existing programs at other institutions able to meet that demand? List potential employers of the graduates. Name any employers who have requested establishment of this program at this institution and provide evidence of the number of employees they will need over the five-year period beginning with the year in which the first students are expected to graduate.
Need of the institution to complement existing disciplines it offers or to maintain its competitiveness. Explain the need of the institution to complement the program(s) it now offers. Describe the relationship of the proposed program to the stated mission of the institution and to those programs it will complement, and explain the ways in which its establishment will result in strengthening those programs. Provide evidence to show that the program does not represent unnecessary duplication of programs. If the proposed program is needed to maintain the institution's competitiveness, explain why.
Perceived potential need of society or of the discipline. Explain fully the basis for the perception that society, the academic discipline, or both (as appropriate), need this program either now or in the future.
2. Relationship of the Proposed Program to the Institution's Mission and the Regents Statewide Plan
Explain the relationship of the proposed program to the stated mission of the institution as set forth in the institution's master plan. Note whether the proposed program was included in the institution's current master plan. Describe the relationship between the new program and ongoing programs. State anticipated effects on existing programs, describing the extent to which the institution will redirect resources to support the program, as well as the area(s) of the institution from which resources will be withdrawn. Describe the relationship of the proposed program to The Board of Regents Statewide Plan for Higher Education.
3. Relationship of the Proposed Program to Other Institutions
institutions in the State that offer doctoral programs in the same discipline. Describe those elements of the proposed program (e.g., academic focus, intended clientele, method of delivery) that make it distinctive from other programs listed above. If the proposed program requires the use of clinical facilities that are not under the control of the institution (internship or practica sites, etc.), to what extent are such sites already being used by similar programs at other institutions? Name the institutions and the similar programs that currently use the sites and describe the effect of the proposed program on the use of those sites. If the proposed program will draw upon scarce resources (such as faculty in high-demand disciplines), what steps will be taken to ensure that the proposed program will not weaken similar programs in the State by drawing those resources from them?
C. READINESS REVIEW - for institutions proposing their first doctoral degree program, include the following information
with the proposal materials:
1. Undergraduate catalogue, graduate bulletin and graduate program brochures and advertisements. 2. The institution's latest annual report, and the one preceding it by five years.
3. List of institution-wide requirements for undergraduate education, master's-level education, and proposed doctoral education.
4. Student:faculty ratios, by campus, for undergraduate-level and for graduate-level programs. Also, retention and graduation rates, and average time to degree during the past ten-year period, for both undergraduate and graduate programs by campus. (Show formulas for all calculations.) In addition, list the outcome measures used by the institution to assess achievement of educational goals, showing evidence of the institution's effectiveness (two-page maximum).
5. Two-page (maximum) description of the role of graduate education in the institution, graduate administration and governance, recognized areas of strength, and primary interests in graduate research.
6. Summary documents from external institution-wide accreditation or similar reviews conducted in the past five years (e.g., evaluation summary and letter of final determination). Also, summary documents from external graduate program reviews, accreditation reviews, etc., done in the last five years (e.g., reviewers' conclusion of findings and recommendations, accreditation status). Please include institutional responses to both institutional and individual program reviews.
ABSTRACT - Prepare a one- or two-page summary of the proposal which briefly sets forth:
1. the title of the proposed doctoral program, the four-digit HEGIS code in which you believe it should be categorized, and the degree, diploma, or certificate to which it leads;
2. the purpose and goals of the program and its relationship to the stated mission of the institution and to existing offerings of the institution;
3. the curriculum;
4. any unique characteristics of the program; 5. requirements for admission to the program;
6. the nature of the prospective student body (geographic origin, age, racial/ethnic characteristics, any other pertinent information);
7. projected (full- and part-time) enrollment in the program's first and fifth year of operation;
8. faculty, facilities including library, equipment, and other academic resources available, and planned to be acquired, to support the proposed program;
9. prospects for employment/further education for the program's graduates; and, 10. any additional basis of need for the program.
For programs requiring master plan amendment, this abstract will be sent to other New York public, independent, and proprietary degree-granting institutions as the basis for their comments and advice on the need and demand for the proposed program and its potential effect on other institutions.
PROGRAM TABLES
Table 1 - Data on Faculty Members Directly Associated with the Proposed Doctoral Program
Table 2 - Data on Other Faculty Associated with the Proposed Doctoral Program (e.g., collaborative programs, master's programs)
Table 3 - Projected Staff for the Proposed Program Table 4 - Student Characteristics
Table 5 - Projected Enrollment in the Proposed Program Table 6 - Projected Expenditures for the Proposed Program
Table 7 - Projected Expenditures for the Proposed Program in Other Departments Table 8 - Projected Revenue Related to the Proposed Program
THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234
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A.
Name of institution:
Specify campus where program will be offered, if other than the main campus:
B.
CEO or designee
Name and title:
Signature and date:
T
HE SIGNATURE OF THE INSTITUTIONAL REPRESENTATIVE INDICATES THE INSTITUTION'
S COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED PROGRAM.
C.
Contact person, if different
Name and title:
Telephone :
Fax:
E-mail:
D.
Proposed doctoral
program title
E.
Proposed degree or other
award:
F.
Proposed HEGIS code
G.
Total program credits:
H.
Program Format: Full-time or Part-time:
I.
If the program will be offered jointly with another institution, name and address of
the institution/branch below:
I
F THE OTHER INSTITUTION IS DEGREE-
GRANTING,
ATTACH A CONTRACT OR LETTER OF AGREEMENT SIGNED BY THAT INSTITUTION'
SCEO.
I
F IT IS NON-
DEGREE-
GRANTING,
REFER TOM
EMORANDUM TOC
HIEFE
XECUTIVEO
FFICERSN
O.
94-04.
CONTACT THIS OFFICE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE A COPY.
Institution Date
Program Degree
TABLE 1
DATA ON FACULTY MEMBERS DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED DOCTORAL PROGRAM
Name
(Use “D” to Specify Program Director and “C”
to Specify Core Faculty)
FT/PT Dept Sex M/F R/E1
Articles in Refereed Journals in the past 5 yrs External Research Support in Current AY 2 Dissertation Load Current AY 2 Any Dissertation Load in the previous 5 yrs. # of Advisees Current AY 2 # of Classes Taught Current AY 2 % FTE Time to Proposed Program Com Chr Com Chr Doc Mstrs GR UG
Full Professor
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
Other
1
Racial/Ethnic Groups - Black (B), White (W), Hispanic (H), Native American Indian/Alaskan Native (N), Asian/Pacific Islander (A), Foreign (F) 2
Institution Date
Program Degree
TABLE 2—DATA ON OTHER FACULTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED DOCTORAL PROGRAM (e.g., collaborative programs, master's programs)
Name FT/PT Dept Sex M/F R/E1
Articles in Refereed Journals in the past 5 yrs External Research Support in Current AY 2 Dissertation Load Current AY 2 Any Dissertation Load in the previous 5 yrs. # of Advisees Current AY 2 # of Classes Taught Current AY 2 % FTE Time to Proposed Program Com Chr Com Chr Doc Mstrs GR UG
Full Professor
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
Updated Feb13 11
Institution Date
Program Degree
TABLE 3
PROJECTED STAFF FOR THE PROPOSED PROGRAM
Faculty/Staff Academic Year 1st Year 1 2nd Year Academic Year 1 3rd Year Academic Year 1 4th Year Academic Year 1 5th Year Academic Year 1 Faculty 01. Full-Time 2 02. Existing 3 03. New 4 Faculty 04. Part-Time 2 05. Existing 3 06. New 4 Faculty
07. Full-Time Equivalents (FTE) 5 08. Existing FTE 3
09. New FTE 4 Administrative Staff 10. Full-Time 11. Part-Time
12. Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) 5 13. Existing FTE 3
14. New FTE 4 Support Staff 15. Full-Time 16. Part-Time
17. Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) 5 18. Existing FTE 3
19. New FTE 4 1
Specify the academic year. 2
This line must equal the total of Existing faculty plus New faculty. 3
Existing means faculty and/or staff in the proposed program that would have existed at the institution even if the proposed program were not approved. 4
New means staff that will be employed specifically as a consequence of the proposed program. New FTE staff should be carried over to the following year as existing FTE staff, if a continuing staff need.
5
Institution Date
Program Degree
TABLE 4
STUDENT CHARACTERISTICS
A. Anticipated Geographic Origin of Students in the Proposed Program
Indicate the percent from: Full-Time Part-Time
01. County in which the program will be offered 02. Remainder of Regents Post-secondary Region in which the program will be offered
03. Remainder of New York State 04. Other State
05. Foreign ________ _________
06. Total 100% 100%
B. Anticipated Racial/Ethnic Characteristics of Full-Time and Part-Time Students (Headcount) in the Proposed Program
Percent 07. Non-resident Alien
08. Black Non-Hispanic
09. American Indian or Alaskan Native 10. Asian or Pacific Islander
11. Hispanic
12. White, Non-Hispanic
_______
Updated Feb13 13
Institution Date
Program Degree
TABLE 5
PROJECTED ENROLLMENT IN THE PROPOSED PROGRAM
Enrollment 1st Year Academic Year 1 2nd Year Academic Year 1 3rd Year Academic Year 1 4th Year Academic Year 1 5th Year Academic Year 1 01. Full-Time Students 02. Part-Time Students 03. Total 2
04. Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) 3 4 05. Existing FTE 5
06. New FTE 6
1
Specify the academic year; state whether enrollment is for the fall term or the average for the academic year. 2
Describe how you arrived at the projected enrollment. 3
Describe the method used to compute full-time equivalent enrollment. 4
Must equal total of lines 05 and 06. 5
Existing FTE enrollment means the FTE enrollment that would have existed at the institution even if the proposed program were not approved. 6
New FTE Enrollment means the FTE enrollment that will be engendered specifically by the proposed program. New FTE enrollment from the previous year should be carried over to the following year as new FTE enrollment, with adjustments for attrition and completions.
Institution Date
Program Degree
TABLE 6—PROJECTED EXPENDITURES FOR THE PROPOSED PROGRAM Expenditures1 Actual Projected Specify Previous Academic Year2 Specify Current Academic Year2 Specify Academic Year2 Specify Academic Year2 Specify Academic Year2 Personnel Expenditures Existing3 New4 Existing3 New4 Existing3 New4 Existing3 New4 Existing3 New4 Faculty
01. Existing Faculty 02. New Faculty 03. Total Faculty Administrative Staff
04. Existing Administrative Staff 05. New Administrative Staff 06. Total Administrative Staff Clerical Staff
07. Existing Clerical Staff 08. New Clerical Staff 09. Total Clerical Staff
10. Total Personnel Expenditures Non-Personnel Expenditures 11. Conference Travel 12. Professional Development 13. Instructional Materials 14. Supplies 15. Equipment 16. Proposal Development 17. Computer Equipment 18. Library Acquisitions
19. Total Non-Personnel Expenditures Aid to Students6
20. Existing Aid to Students4 21. New Aid to Students 5 22. Total Aid To Students Facilities Renovations/Additions7 23.
Institution Date
Program Degree
TABLE 7
PROJECTED1 EXPENDITURES FOR THE PROPOSED PROGRAM IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS Expenditures 1st Year Academic Year 2 2nd Year Academic Year 2 3rd Year Academic Year 2 4th Year Academic Year 2 5th Year Academic Year 2 Faculty 3 New Resources 4 Equipment 5 New Resources 4 Other 6 New Resources 4
Total (Other Departments) New Resources4
1
Specify inflation rate used for projections. 2
Specify academic year. 3
Include fringe benefits. 4
New resources means resources in other Departments engendered by the proposed program (e.g., additional faculty teach support courses). The new resources from the previous year should be carried over to the following year as new resources with adjustments for inflation, if it is a continuing cost. 5
Include here equipment which is not a capital expenditure. 6
Institution Date
Program Degree
TABLE 8
PROJECTED1 REVENUE RELATED TO THE PROPOSED PROGRAM
Revenues 1st Year Academic Year 2 2nd Year Academic Year 2 3rd Year Academic Year 2 4th Year Academic Year 2 5th Year Academic Year 2 Tuition Revenue 3
01. From Existing Sources 4 02. From New Sources 5 03. Total
State Revenue 6
04. From Existing Sources 4 05. From New Sources 5 06. Total
Other Revenue 7
07. From Existing Sources 4 08. From New Sources 5 09. Total
Grand Total 8
10. From Existing Sources 4 11. From New Sources 5 TOTAL
1
Specify inflation rate used for projections. 2
Specify the academic year. 3
Please explain how tuition revenue was calculated. 4
New York State Education Department
Office of Higher Education
Office of College and University Evaluation
Instructions for Evaluation of Doctoral Program Proposals
Background
The Office of College and University Evaluation (OCUE) is responsible for approval of New York
State’s degree-granting institutions and for registration of the academic programs they offer. Currently OCUE
oversees 270 institutions with almost 27,000 programs. A system of staff and peer review by recognized
authorities is used for the evaluation of programs. The purpose of this peer review system is to encourage
academic excellence and to ensure high quality doctoral programs in New York State.
In considering new doctoral programs for registration, the New York State Board of Regents is
primarily concerned with the criteria of high quality and need. Only proposed programs with clear potential for
achieving high quality and meeting the needs of the discipline and the public will be granted registration.
The Proposal Evaluator's Task
The proposal evaluation report is one of the most important components of the review. The task of the
proposal evaluator is to examine the program proposal and related materials, make a site visit, respond to the
questions posed in the “Evaluation Report Form for Doctoral Program Proposals” and “Special Questions –
Institutional Readiness for Doctoral Education,” if required, and submit a report that speaks to the quality of
and need for the program.
The evaluator’s task is to review the “Evaluation Report Form for Doctoral Program Proposals”
provided to ensure that the Institution provides the information needed to complete the application for
registration of a the proposed doctoral program. If the proposed program is an institution’s first doctoral
program, the Institution’s information needs are more extensive and responses to Appendix O – “Assessing
Institutional Readiness to Offer Programs at a New Level” of the Program Registration Procedures and
“Special Questions – Institutional Readiness for Doctoral Education” also need to be provided. Your report
along with the Institution’s response and final proposal application will serve as the basis for the State
Education Department to make a determination regarding program registration.
The Evaluation Report
The report should focus on the qualities of the program, faculty, students, and resources. In addition,
there are general comment questions, to evaluate overall program quality. When identifying strengths and
weaknesses of the program, please be specific and use examples wherever possible. It is also helpful to the
institution if you provide recommendations to remedy weaknesses.
Once completed, the report should be submitted to the team chair or institutional liaison as appropriate.
The complete evaluation report should be forwarded to the institution for review and comment.
The report and the institution's response to it must be transmitted to the State Education Department
with the institution's request for program registration. It is, therefore, important that the report be complete,
accurate, and objective. The report should include name, title, institutional affiliation, address, telephone
number and curriculum vitae for each evaluator.
Conflict of Interest
Each peer reviewer must sign the “Conflict of Interest Guidelines”. The Institution must keep a
signed copy in their files.
New York State Education Department
Office of Higher Education
Office of College and University Evaluation
Conflict of Interest Guidelines for Peer Reviewers of Doctoral Programs
Conflict of Interest
There must be no conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict of interest with the institution under review.
There is a conflict of interest when the potential peer reviewer/consultant:
(1) is a present or former employee, student, member of the governing board, owner or shareholder of,
or consultant to the institution where the program is under review;
(2) is a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of an individual or persons listed in (1) above;
(3) has expressed an opinion for or against the proposed program under review;
(4) is seeking or being sought for employment or other relationship of any kind with the institution
where the program is under review;
(5) has a personal or professional relationship with the program or institution where the program is
under review that might compromise objectivity; and/or
(6) has a competitive relationship with the institution that might compromise objectivity.
____________________________________________________________________________________
I have reviewed the Conflict of Interest Guidelines. To the best of my knowledge, I do not have a conflict of
interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest with:
Print name of institution:
_________________________________________________________________________________
Signed: _________________________________________________________________________
Printed name of Peer Reviewer: _______________________________________________________
Updated Feb13 19
New York State Education Department
Office of Higher Education
Office of College and University Evaluation
REPORT FORM FOR EVALUATION OF DOCTORAL PROGRAM PROPOSALS
Institution:
Program Title
Date(s) of Evaluation:
Evaluator(s):
I.
Program
1.
Assess program purpose, structure, and requirements as well as formal mechanisms for
program administration and monitoring.
2.
Comment on the special focus of this program as it relates to the discipline. What are plans
and expectations for continuing program development and self-assessment including ongoing
external reviews?
3.
Assess the breadth and depth of coverage in terms of faculty availability and expertise, regular
course offerings and directed study, and available support from related programs. What
evidence is there of program flexibility and innovation?
4.
Discuss the relationship of this program to undergraduate, master's and other doctoral
programs of the institution. Consider interdisciplinary programs, service function, joint research
projects, support programs, etc.
5.
What evidence is there of need and demand for the program locally, in the State, and in the
field at large? What is the extent of occupational demand for graduates? What evidence is
there that it will continue?
II.
Faculty
1.
What is the caliber of the full-time and part-time faculty, individually and collectively, in
regard to education, college teaching experience, experience in doctoral education including
dissertation supervision, research and publication, professional service, and national
recognition in the field?
2.
What are the faculty members' primary areas of interest and expertise? How important to the
field is the work being done? Discuss any critical gaps.
3.
Assess the composition of faculty in terms of diversity (race, gender, seniority).
4.
Evaluate faculty activity in generating funds for research, training, facilities, equipment, etc.
5.
Assess the faculty in terms of size and qualification for the areas of specialization which are to
be offered. Evaluate faculty workload, taking into consideration responsibility for
undergraduate, master's, and other doctoral programs. What are plans for future staffing?
6.
Discuss credentials and involvement of adjunct and support faculty.
III.
Students
1.
Comment on the student clientele which the program seeks to serve, and assess plans and
projections for student recruitment and enrollment.
2.
What are the prospects that recruitment efforts and admissions criteria will supply a sufficient
pool of highly qualified applicants and enrollees?
3.
Comment on provisions for encouraging participation of persons from underrepresented
groups. Is there adequate attention to the needs of part-time, minority, or disadvantaged
students?
4.
Assess the system for monitoring students' progress and performance and for advising
students regarding academic and career matters.
5.
Discuss prospects for placement or job advancement.
IV.
Resources
1.
What is the institution's commitment to the program as demonstrated by the operating
budget, faculty salaries and research support, the number of faculty lines relative to student
numbers and workload, support for faculty by non-academic personnel, student financial
assistance, and funds provided for faculty professional development and activities, colloquia,
visiting lecturers, etc.
2.
Discuss the adequacy of physical resources and facilities, e.g., library, computer, and
laboratory facilities, internship sites, and other support services for the program, including use
of resources outside the University.
V.
Comments
1.
Summarize the major strengths and weaknesses of the program as proposed with particular
attention to feasibility of implementation and appropriateness of objectives for the degree
offered.
2.
In what ways will this program make a unique contribution to the field?
3.
Include any further observations important to the evaluation of this doctoral program proposal
and provide any recommendations for the proposed program.
Updated Feb13 21
FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN
EVALUATION OF DOCTORAL PROGRAM PROPOSALS A. Program Purpose, Design, and Administration
1. Accuracy and clarity in proposal description and program materials 2. Program's unique contribution to the field
3. Appropriateness of program objectives for the degree offered 4. Appropriateness of requirement for achieving program objectives:
Course work - core, cognate, specialization, total credit hours Residency
Internship, practicum, field experience Examinations
Statistics/Research tools Dissertation
5. Depth and breadth of coverage
6. Appropriateness of sites and adequacy of supervision for student internships, practica, and field experiences
7. Integration or cooperation with other programs, divisions, and universities 8. Program administration and leadership
9. Self-assessment, planning, and provision for future needs B. Faculty
1. Academic preparation and background experience 2. Research, publication, and recognition in the field 3. Involvement in problems of practice services 4. Competency as:
Teachers
Research leaders Dissertation mentors Intern supervisors
5. Sufficiency in number for program coverage, diversity, and vitality
6. Distribution of faculty workload and time devoted to proposed doctoral program 7. Policy on tenure and promotion and ongoing faculty development and assessment 8. Plans for recruitment of quality faculty and staff development
9. Involvement and qualifications of adjunct and part-time faculty C. Students
1. System for student admissions, advising, and monitoring of progress and performance 2. Projections for admissions and enrollment; critical mass
3. Student/faculty ratio
4. Awareness of the job market; placement/employment of graduates D. Resources
1. Institutional commitment
2. Faculty success in obtaining external grant support 3. Student financial support
4. Internal support for faculty professional activities and development
5. Classroom and office availability and adequacy for academic and advisement purposes 6. Library facilities and holdings
7. Computer facilities and services 8. Laboratory and other special facilities 9. Clerical and other support services 10. Resources for future support
New York State Education Department
Office of Higher Education
Office of College and University Evaluation
Additional Institutional Readiness Questions for First Doctoral Programs Only
A. To what extent does the institution already possess some of the characteristics of a doctoral institution? Please consider the following points as well any as other significant issues that relate specifically to the institution and its readiness to offer doctoral-level education.
1. Graduate administrative structure and mechanisms for program monitoring and support. 2. Faculty qualifications and prior experience in doctoral education.
3. Involvement of faculty in research, publication, and obtaining research grants.
4. Resources appropriate for doctoral-level study, including library, computers, research equipment and laboratories.
5. Modes of graduate instruction and research training appropriate for doctoral study, e.g., seminars rather than lectures, diversity and sophistication of research methodologies.
6. Degree of emphasis on research, independent study, experimentation, and demonstration of professional performance, in the existing graduate programs.
B. How successfully does the institution carry out its present academic mission on each of its campuses? Consider the strength of existing undergraduate and graduate programs, faculty availability and workload student retention and completion rates, support resources and facilities, etc. How does the institution measure effectiveness in achieving its goals and objectives, and how does it incorporate findings into institutional priorities?
C. What changes does the institution perceive to be necessary to become a doctoral degree-granting institution? Consider the following issues:
1. Increased faculty time and support for research and development, dissertation guidance, and professional activities.
2. Differentiation of standards and requirements for program admission; completion and modification of plan for student recruitment.
3. Provision for a full-time residency experience for students or an equivalent concentrated period of study or research.
4. Increased financial resources, internal and external, for student support.
5. Faculty hiring and tenure policies, and plans for future growth and program development.
6. Expansion of library holdings, computer facilities and research equipment and laboratories, space for faculty and students.
